Where Does Paint.NET Store Settings and Plugins?
Paint.NET keeps crash logs and settings in Local AppData, with plugins in Program Files or Documents for the Store build.
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Paint.NET has three homes on Windows. Settings and crash logs sit in Local AppData. Plugins sit with the program for Classic installs. Store installs use a Documents folder you may need to create yourself. The split dates to the Store release and still trips up guides.
Your images are never in any of these. The .pdn project file goes wherever you save it, usually Documents or Pictures. Back up the plugin folders before reinstalling Windows or you will be hunting down every effect again. A quick copy now saves an afternoon later.
Where Paint.NET stores this, by platform
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Paint.NET
Crash logs are in the CrashLogs subfolder (Settings > Diagnostics > Open Crash Log Folder shows it). Classic plugins live in C:\Program Files\Paint.NET\Effects. Store build plugins go in Documents\paint.net App Files.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I put Paint.NET plugins manually?
Classic: copy Effects, FileTypes, and Shapes folders into C:\Program Files\Paint.NET. Store version: create Documents\paint.net App Files with the same subfolders. Restart the app after copying.
Where is the Paint.NET crash log?
The latest 20 logs sit in %LOCALAPPDATA%\Paint.NET\CrashLogs as pdncrash.log files. Open Settings, then Diagnostics, then Open Crash Log Folder to jump straight there for bug reports.
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